Evan's Cycles in trouble - ?
- Thread starter simongt
- Start date
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fritz katzenjammer
Der Ubergrosserbudgie
Not a surprise, the entire industry is hurting. I just got told I’m likely not working till spring because it is so slow. Luckily this is my retirement job so it’s not for the money.
oddly, it doesn’t matter how the market is, decent mechanics are near impossible to come by. The money paid is shite and you often have to work weekends. Add to that the chances of being laid off each winter and you can see why its hard to make a living at it.
one shop I worked at had three guys like myself, retired engineers who were looking for part time fun jobs to fill time. We made up the core of that shops service team. Once we moved on they struggled to fill positions.
oddly, it doesn’t matter how the market is, decent mechanics are near impossible to come by. The money paid is shite and you often have to work weekends. Add to that the chances of being laid off each winter and you can see why its hard to make a living at it.
one shop I worked at had three guys like myself, retired engineers who were looking for part time fun jobs to fill time. We made up the core of that shops service team. Once we moved on they struggled to fill positions.
It's been owned and run down by the Frasers group for 7 years now, they'll have had the bubble of covid purchases, but I'm shocked they have lasted this long to be fair.
I bought 3 bikes from them and plenty of other kit prior to the takeover (And being honest, they weren't that good then, and I had issues ranging from minor to major with each of those bike purchases, clothes and kit purchases were fine), and have intentionally not bought a single item since - same goes for the sadly departed Wiggle and CRC.
I'm guessing I'm not alone in my thought patterns.
Merlin, Balfe's (Online and in store) or Sigma tend to be my go to destinations these days - I think back 10-15 years where there was a WIDE array of reputable retailers available, both UK and in Europe.
I bought 3 bikes from them and plenty of other kit prior to the takeover (And being honest, they weren't that good then, and I had issues ranging from minor to major with each of those bike purchases, clothes and kit purchases were fine), and have intentionally not bought a single item since - same goes for the sadly departed Wiggle and CRC.
I'm guessing I'm not alone in my thought patterns.
Merlin, Balfe's (Online and in store) or Sigma tend to be my go to destinations these days - I think back 10-15 years where there was a WIDE array of reputable retailers available, both UK and in Europe.
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
Indeed! I wonder why the mechanics kept leaving.
Rusty Nails
We remember
- Location
- Living in the slow lane
One thing that will be lost when local or High Street bike shops close will be a source of bikes for people who may want to start riding and/or don't know enough about specs and dimensions to order online with confidence.
I know Halfords is looked down upon by many on bike forums but it is a good resource for that market and for people who just want a bike for occasional use or short commutes. It has probably helped more people get into cycling than any other retailer,...and that's not counting the little kids who get their first bikes bought for them there.
I know Halfords is looked down upon by many on bike forums but it is a good resource for that market and for people who just want a bike for occasional use or short commutes. It has probably helped more people get into cycling than any other retailer,...and that's not counting the little kids who get their first bikes bought for them there.
